Kansas State, Iowa State to Open 2025 College Football Season in Ireland

Kansas State and Iowa State will clash in the fourth edition of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the first ever Big 12 matchup in Ireland.

This will be just the second time that Kansas State will play a football game outside the United States as the Wildcats played Nebraska in Tokyo on December 5, 1992. Iowa State will play its first-ever football game outside of the United States in the matchup against the Wildcats which will be the 10th college football game all-time played in Ireland.

“The opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and fans to visit one of the world’s top travel destinations and to showcase our football program and brand on a global stage was one we could not pass up,” said Kansas State Athletics Director Gene Taylor. “We appreciate John Anthony and his staff for making this unbelievable experience possible, and I know our team, coaches and fans are eager to begin preparations for the trip to Dublin.”

It will mark the first time since 1997, the Big 12’s second season, that Iowa State has opened its football season with a league contest and the earliest date ever the Cyclones have kicked off the season.

“We are extremely grateful for this opportunity presented to us by Aer Lingus to provide the young men in our football program an unrivaled educational, cultural and athletic experience,” said Jamie Pollard, Iowa State director of athletics. “Iowa State fans enjoy a tremendous reputation for following the Cyclones wherever they play, and we look forward to seeing them travel with us to The Emerald Isle for the 2025 season-opener.”

The rivalry between Kansas State and Iowa State has featured two neutral-site matchups with the Wildcats winning both the 2009 and 2010 meetings at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Additionally, the 2025 matchup will mark the first time K-State begins a season with a conference opponent since the inaugural Big 12 matchup when the Wildcats defeated Texas Tech on August 31, 1996.

Going abroad in 2025🇮🇪@AerLingus | @cfbireland

🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/nFJfCifAIZ— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) April 24, 2024

“We are thrilled to welcome K-State and Iowa State to Dublin for the 2025 Aer Lingus Classic,” said John Anthony, co-founder of the Aer Lingus Classic and executive vice president of collegiate of On Location. “Kicking off the season with this classic Big 12 Conference rivalry game will bring a heightened level of excitement to another expected sell out of Aviva Stadium. This matchup was selected because of the high-quality play from both teams, as well as the passionate fans bases that follow them.”

2025 will be the fourth consecutive year the college football season begins with a game in Dublin. Florida State and Georgia Tech will kick off the 2024 season, which will include ESPN’s College GameDay broadcasting live from Dublin on August 24.

“The Aer Lingus College Football Classic provides us with a unique opportunity to drive awareness of the Aer Lingus brand in our key North American market,” said Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus chief customer officer. “The Aer Lingus Classic draws substantial numbers of American visitors and gives the opportunity to showcase Ireland as a destination through this exciting event. We look forward to welcoming both the Kansas State and Iowa State teams to Ireland for the game in 2025.”